Draglines
{Deborah Silverstein)

Draglines at my heart
They're tearing us apart
And the mountainside where we were born
Must I weep and mourn for the land
That took ten million years to form
Now all my eyes can see are just the bleeding scars
Across the mountainside, across the mountainside

Coalport PA, just a little town
Not too far away
For anyone to know
That the folks born and raised
For six generations working day by day
Tryin' keep themselves alive

Our neighbours down the road
They farmed twelve acres
Worked a heavy load
Always dirt though they tried
The coal company came through
Said we'll mine your land
Take the burden off of you
And we'll see that you get by

First they tore down their homes
Where the grandma, all the kids were born
They just tossed it all aside
Then came the big machines
Ripped up the trees
And muddied all the streams
While the family stood and cried

Draglines at my heart
They're tearing us apart
And the mountainside where we were born
Take warning that the stormclouds will come
And block out the sun
That's shining on the folks who seek their fortunes off
The families who have died
Dying to survive, across the mountainside

AJS
apr97